Elham Asaad Buaras
The eighth annual Black Muslim Awards recognised individuals and organisations working across the arts, business, healthcare, sport, environmental sustainability and community services at a ceremony held on October 17 at Saffron Gallery in Stratford, east London.
Among the 11 recipients were Somali Buraanbur artist Canab Cuud, community arts founder Kinsi Abdulleh and NHS doctor and peace advocate Dr Ayo Khalil Moiett.
Writer and digital creator Zainab Hassan received the Social Media Content Creator Award for her platform, The Documented Life, which focuses on wellbeing, self-development and intentional living.
Canab Cuud received the Performing Artist Award for her work drawing on Buraanbur, a Somali poetic tradition, with performances exploring womanhood, motherhood and cultural identity.
The Business Entrepreneur Award went to Hands of Imaani, a faith-inspired fashion brand that donates a proportion of its profits to charitable causes.
Kinsi Abdulleh, founder of Numbi Arts, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her work using arts and culture to support communities and provide platforms for Black artists and voices.
The People’s Choice Award was presented to Inspyre, a creative platform founded by Mohamed Imam and Sharmarke Ahmed. Its activities include book clubs, youth projects, workshops and cultural events aimed at encouraging engagement with literature and critical thinking.
Dr Ayo Khalil Moiett received the Peace Advocate Award for work spanning healthcare, social justice and community organising.
The Charity and Non-Profit Award went to Let’s Make Noise, which supports children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, as well as mothers experiencing housing insecurity.
Taqia Adelabu received the Sports Advocate Award for her work promoting physical activity and women’s participation in sport. She began running in 2023 and has since completed the London Marathon each year, alongside 10km races, half marathons and a 100km ultramarathon.
A qualified running coach, Adelabu leads weekly training sessions and serves as a ride leader for Cycle Sisters, a Muslim women’s cycling organisation.
The Community Impact Award went to An Noor Cultural & Community Centre (ACCC Trust), with director Kalim Reid accepting the award on its behalf. The trust was recognised for its work in community cohesion, cultural engagement and local support initiatives.
Environmental specialist Dr Saeed Oluwadipe received a Special Recognition Award for more than 15 years of work in sustainability, environmental management, waste reduction and recycling.
The Malik El Shabazz Award, named after Malcolm X, was presented to Romain Muhammad, an Aziz Foundation scholar, leadership coach and inclusion specialist. Through his consultancy, Room to Lead™, Muhammad works with individuals and organisations on identity, confidence and organisational culture.
Accepting the award, he said: “To be recognised and honoured with an award that carries the name of a giant like that is no small thing to me.”
The ceremony was hosted by spoken-word artist and broadcaster Muneera Pilgrim and storyteller and performer Alim Kamara. It also featured a keynote address by Professor Mashood Baderin and performances by Aicha the Poet, comedian Prince Abdi and singer Khaled Siddiq.
The event was supported by headline sponsors Aziz Foundation, Awra Invest, Read Foundation, Human Appeal and the British Muslim Trust.
Marian Abdullah, director of AACMA, the organisation behind the awards, said, “Every year, we are honoured to shine a light on individuals and organisations whose work uplifts communities, inspires others and creates lasting positive change.”
The awards recognise the contributions of Black Muslims across British public, cultural and community life.
